Has anyone heard this, apparently he is rumoured to be in talks with Bath. Mixed feelings if true, I suspect his Wales days are behind Hindi at least he would be available more often than not (barring injury of course). But will he add much apart from experience and power which we will be losing in the back line when banners goes but obviously won’t replace his pace.

Could also help youngsters with experience like Max etc. Wouldn’t want to be paying him too much out of the cap though!!

I understand that he is keen to get back in the Wales squad for the 2019 World Cup, his form has been pretty good recently, but Wales may have moved on now which could be good in terms of his availability.

All depends on how salary demands.
His days of a high wage are behind him, but does he / his agent accept that?
A year or so teaching Johnny and Max could be quite helpful, and I' m sure JJ would appreciate a destructive runner inside of him.

I thought it was decided we wouldn’t seek out players whose best years are behind them & who are increasingly troubled by injury. It sounds similar to the signing of Lewis Moody which was not a success.

The main thing that would bother me is the short term nature of it. If 12 were THE missing piece in our game, then maybe, but I want is to build towards something. He'll come in, do what he does for a season, maybe two, then leave us in no better place. Then we'll probably do the same again.

We should be looking for a solution to our centres, but this seems the least we could achive. I bet we could spend the same money on a shot in the dark, but one that has potential. Next season he might not do as much as Jamie, though he might, but every season after that. If that shot doesn't come off, we're no worse of really.

Yes JR in his prime (about 3 seasons ago) would have offered big ball carrying, tackling experience and carried a real threat in the centre. But at 32 this November, his continued studies at Queens College, Cambridge, his ageing body not going to suffer and recover from injury well, unless he came relatively cheap, I would say no thanks. Rather spend more money in some way developing a youngster like Williams at Irish. J R would be here no more than a season or 2 at the most, and personally I think we should be looking longer term. Also we might need extra cap to keep JJ here as well!

If he agreed to be paid on a match by match basis, therefore when not selected it doesn't cost the club much, that may be a possibility and good way forward for him and the club. That is the only basis IMO we should take him on board. (Don't want another guy blocking up a sun bed or massage table at the Spa!)

You can agree whatever contract you like provided it doesn't breach the total.

Roberts is still quality. Those worrying about JJ not getting the ball haven't been paying attention for the last season and a half where he's been playing first receiver and distributor as much as anything else (he did the same for England on Saturday when subbed on for Ford). Blackadder clearly prefers a hard-running style of 12 rather than a second 5/8th. Those worried about injuries, Johnny Williams has missed more games in the last two seasons through injury than Roberts.

A centre grouping of:

JJ
Roberts
Clark
Willison
Wright
(Williams?)

would suit nicely for next season. Season after that is RWC so not so much.

That stable of centres looks infinitely better than this season (or last) and would provide options, youth and experience. Until we can tempt a Southern Hemisphere star post-RWC or a young English star of the future (Williams from LI, Devoto back from Exe) then Roberts seems the best available, most cost-effective option for the next season or two.

I'm saying that outside of first phase JJ plays first receiver quite frequently. In terms of first phase it's quite easy to see JJ getting ball. It's called 'miss one'.

Mike Brown is a completely different comparison. He frequently gets the ball in two-on-one scenarios (or two on one-and-a-half if it's a half break) and almost never passes (or chucks it straight into touch). For the sake of even-handedness, Watson isn't exactly fantastic at this either.

What we need in the backs is balance of broadswords and sabres. Asking sabres to do broadsword roles (e.g. Taps the last year and a bit) isn't going to help. If we can get Watson distributing a bit more (or move him to wing with Homer at 15) then I like the balance for one season of Roberts at 12. He'll provide experience and leadership, an out ball for 10, and a good example for Clark.

DanWileyThe main thing that would bother me is the short term nature of it. If 12 were THE missing piece in our game, then maybe, but I want is to build towards something. He'll come in, do what he does for a season, maybe two, then leave us in no better place. Then we'll probably do the same again.
We should be looking for a solution to our centres, but this seems the least we could achive. I bet we could spend the same money on a shot in the dark, but one that has potential. Next season he might not do as much as Jamie, though he might, but every season after that. If that shot doesn't come off, we're no worse of really.

It just seems the easy, short term, unimaginative answer.

I think this is most valid (assuming a reasonable wage). But if our likely stock of 12s is Roberts (31), Williams (21), Clarke (22), Willison (29), Wright (21)
A] it's interesting that a 31 year olf centre is an age worry on a 1-2 year contract; whilst we all moan that a winger is well worth a 3 year contract at all of 1 month younger.
B] Plenty seem to think that Clarke isn't quite ready for regular Prem action yet this season - will he be next year? will Johnny Williams? Max Wright? - Would any of them benefit from spending a year or two training with, and learning from a 98 capped international? Not quite the same as Jackson Willison, who would most likely be brought in to cover as injury replacement at 10-13

If we've got our solutions going forwards, but we think they're a year from being ready; why not bring in an experienced pro to hold the fort until they're ready, and potentially to ease out of the first squad as and when.
Why spend money on a shot in the dark potential player who might pay off in a couple of years; when we've already got three who we're already more confident in than "a shot in the dark"; one of whom has already spent a year intesting international coaches to tap him up.

Jamie Roberts was once rumoured to be one of the very highest paid players in the world. He will not come cheap. Like the situation with Halfpenny - of course we would like him to come to Bath but there is a balancing act.

Gloucester seems more likely - they pay well for big guy with a few miles on the clock.

Originally he was set to leave Quins because he had to play in Wales. I assume therefore Quins planned for life without him. Subsequently that rule has been changed, so there isn't the need for him to play there - and there might not be a region able to afford him.

We lack size in our backline, particularly without Banners, and both numbers and experience at centre. Obviously not at any cost, but actually I can see lots of positives in this (if it's true).

Have to say thinking about this that JR's age might not make much difference, he was never known for his pace after all. If it does happen Priestland Roberts or Burns Roberts would certainly provide a backs leadership core and he is known for coordinating defences.

Tarquin has made it abundantly clear that signings are made strategically with a view to two or three years ahead. Roberts will do for a year until after the RWC when a lot more talent will be available.

@Hydor18Tarquin has made it abundantly clear that signings are made strategically with a view to two or three years ahead. Roberts will do for a year until after the RWC when a lot more talent will be available.

I'm really torn. When Roberts was at his peak playing for the Lions against South Africa his partnership with O'Driscoll was amongst the best I have seen.

There are a few things that worry me though. As others have said, this feels a bit like a Moody signing. i would generally like us to get players on their way up, and retain the experienced players rather than bring them in when they are on their way down.

The other thing that worries me is the lack of pace that we have in the side at the moment. In some ways this is probably due to the injuries and the international call ups we have had, and maybe it isn't inside centre that you really need pace, but it adds to my concern that we are going to remain a bit one dimensional with our backs play.

DanWileyHe wouldn't have been my choice but it does give a certain calibre to our midfield: Burns, jr, JJ. Roko, Watson and Homer isn't a bad back three either.
Makes me think, shame about banners, but then I start thinking if we let banners go to get Jamie...

Still, look for a 9 now. A great 9 and that's a worrying set of backs.

Excellent signing and in my opinion just what we need.
He has been playing well for Quins, and if he can pass on his knowledge to the younger guys for a couple of years this could be some very good business by Bath.

Think I am now in the positive signing camp on this one, starting to shape up into a decent back line if all fit next season. But we desperately need a top class 9 to spark them with quick distribution (providing the forwards do their job)

If we can get this then will start to have a much warmer fuzzier feeling about next season.

I am also relieved as it shows that the Salary Cap will be spent and has probably already been allocated on players yet to be announced.

Will perhaps, in time explain why the Club, rightly in my view, could not up the ante for Banners (my favourite squad player). Just in case people missed my other post.....James Haskell played for his schoolboy club Wasps, Man of the Series for England v Australia, British Lion in 2017 and now playing for England in 2018 has not even been given a new contract by Wasps of any length!!!

I am sorry but I just cannot get too excited about this signing. Although Roberts has been a good player, his best days are surely behind him by a few years and though we cannot have a team entirely made up of 'young lads for the future' the time machine has gone back a few too many years in the case of Roberts. He will bring experience and knowledge about the game, he is generally sound defensively but will surely be found out increasingly due to his lack of pace and one dimensional style. I think we could have done better, but I am scratching my head to think of who at this precise moment in time.
Anyhow, I wish him good luck with us and hope that he proves me wrong in every possible sense.

From Opta, for any of those thinking he’s on his last legs and injury prone.

1166 - @Jamiehuwroberts has played more minutes in @premrugby than any other @Harlequins player this season (1166), making the most carries (130) by a back at the club and the fourth most tackles (132) by a back in the entire league.

He and JJ should form quite a defensive partnership. Question is, what can they do together in attack?

Great signing IMHO - A world class player when fit and shows we can as a club attract such players will also greatly benefit the young players and attract further young talent to play and train with such players, may also tip the balance in our favour when Talupe considers his future as I understand both he and JR are great friends. Need some more positive need and signings to offset what has been a disappointing 2018 for us.

More realistically, I wonder if they have employed him as the team doctor, thereby saving a salary!

Seriously though, from what I have read he is still studying for his MPhil at Cambridge. Or is that old news and he can do it with distance learning?

Yes he ticks many boxes with regards to experience and possibly acting as a defence opener and wrecker, but his lack of pace and a kicking game doesn't make him an ideal 12 IMV. He is a better distributor and tackler than Banners and obviously a better centre, filling the gap of a big ball carrier lost with MB going to Glaws.

And I do think Annie is right, with his pedigree, about putting bums on seats and attracting sponsors which we desperately need in the coming 2/3 years.

I suppose as not many of us thought this move was on, it has come as a surprise. If we can get him working with his fellow backs and he stays fit, it might be the man we and Todd has been looking for.

Welcome Jamie and I reserve judgement to see what effect he has on the team next season.

The more I think about this, the more I really like the prospect of an experienced, strong centre to play alongside JJ and strengthen the centres. I liked Ben T but feel we have the better player now with Jamie arriving and Ben moving on.

JR certainly won't be trying to drop short grubber balls which just get picked up and run straight back at us!

Lack of pace is not the issue here. Pace is not normally one of the main characteristics of a 12 (kicking is very helpful though).

When looking at the backline as a whole other than 10, the rest of the likely selections are full of pace. We blessed with two of the quickest at 13 and 15, so it's not vital to have it at 12 also.

We do need bulk and a gain line presence (both side of the ball) though which he'll provide.

Big question is not the 2nd play-maker (as has been pointed out is JJ), but who will help the 10 with clearing the lines? I'm guessing it'll be Watson, as that should be part of the fullbacks skill set. We should see him used in a greater capacity next year in that respect (or Homer, whoever is available).

Does that just mean a 2 year with an option? That would be fairly standard I think, I would expect 2 years, he's not THAT old, and the option just means longer if everyone's happy, which feels fairly speculative.

I would expect his salary to have come down a fair amount over his last one so I would expect it to be a "very good deal" in some sense.

Seems to tick all the boxes:
International experience / big and powerful / leader on the pitch / "cheap" to run / puts Annie Blackthorn's bums on the seats.......
and for goodness sake he's only 31 - he's only just cut his second teeth!

Bath HammerJust out of curiosity why do we think Quins signed Tapuai & let Roberts go? Presumably a question of finance?

my understanding is that Gatland's law changed, and Jamie wanted to be back in Wales; Quin's started looking for a replacement.
Gatland's law changed again, and Jamie didn't need to be in Wales, and also wouldn't get a central contract; but Quin's had already started replacing him, quite possibly or that the lack of central contract came after they'd secured Tapuai.

Both Tapuai and Robert's contracts would be less that Robert's previous contract

Now we just need our scrum halves to quickly distribute this front foot ball that he will be creating. No point in him trucking it up for us to hesitate for 3secs and then kick it...it will be nice to see JJ running forwards ball in hand again.

Also, Roberts, JJ, Clark, Willison. All prem experience and can be expecting to compete for a starting place. Would be very surprised to see Johnny Williams added to that list.

I guess that it depends on whether JR is still on the Wales radar. If he is, then that could mean we are left with 2 centres during internationals, one who seems to have a poor injury record (like Johnny Williams). If his international days are over then it makes the Bath situation look a lot better in terms of numbers.

Being more specific, casting that envious eye around the league, who would you have chosen over Roberts, considering that Blackadder wants a carrying 12?

Farrell and Tomoua, maybe but they're not carriers and they'd be marquee. Te'o, too, or he'd just be bloody expensive and unavailable quite a bit.

Other than that, who did you want? There don't seem to be too many available/cost-effective alternatives.

Personally, Devoto is one of the few players in the league who would fit, as he's big enough to carry, has a left foot and some subtle skills. But then again he doesn't get in the Exeter team so he can't be that good.

The thing about the, if not him then who discussion is I bet we'll see another team bring in a 12 and we'll, slightly unreasonably, say "dam". It's a big rugby world out there and just because we can't name a 12, doesn't mean he doesn't exist. I'd actually say that in many cases IF I can name him he's probably not value for money.

I can't see JR picking up too many more caps. Wales should certainly be thinking of the long run.

<positive> Still, we'll potentially be able to field a very good back row and set of backs next year </positive>

I watched Devoto last weekend, and yes he makes hard yards, but he still has not learned how to time and give a pass or off load. He was in possession and had the potential to put men around him into space, after he had drawn the opposition on to him, at least twice, but failed to pass the ball on and the chances went begging. He is like a younger Banners but doesn't have the speed Banners did at his age. Also his kicking game is patchy at best.

IMO if we are looking at a banger centre at Exeter, Ian Whitton is the man. Tackles very hard, runs straight and can pass. Again kicking out of hand is not a strength.

I am not a fan of T'eo and know Worcester supporters who say they don't recognise him as one of theirs as he is rarely on the pitch for them.

Young James at Sale is a good young banger type centre and he definitely has good allround skills.

As said there are very few alternatives and that is where JR could do a good job for us. Lets hope so.

Quite frankly Devoto has not fulfilled his potential. I had major concerns when he stood in at f/h for us. I realise he was very young & that was not his favoured position but I would have expected more from a highly rated youngster with international aspirations having been given that opportunity. From then onwards he has had a patchy career with outstanding matches but a lack of consistency so I wouldn’t welcome a return to Bath. I find it difficult to get too excited about new players, particularly ones with recent injury problems, after several seasons when our squad has been decimated by injury. We do have a much stronger squad & many fringe player have come in & had outstanding matches individually if not always collectively but it is imperative that we ensure we have adequate cover in every position. We can do with one or two all round players like Wilson to fulfill that need.

BathovalballerI watched Devoto last weekend, and yes he makes hard yards, but he still has not learned how to time and give a pass or off load. He was in possession and had the potential to put men around him into space, after he had drawn the opposition on to him, at least twice, but failed to pass the ball on and the chances went begging.

Agree, he doesn't seem to have the time some other players have on the ball. havoing said that he will probably play a blinder against his old club at the w/e!

I'm of the opinion we could now focus attention to positions besides centre. We still have Max Wright to come back in to the fold, who is well thought of, and Brew has shown his ability to move in there if needs must. Todd at the time of Wright's and Green's signing said he wanted to "evolve the squad so that it combines excellent, promising young talent with experienced world-class players." That to me sounds exactly what JJ and Roberts are, as well as Clark who has many years left obviously, and Willison who is well experienced in the Premiership. A Devoto type player in addition would be nice granted, but we need to build elsewhere first IMO.

To me, Gatland looks to have finally realised the need to begin evolving the Welsh side. For season after season he stuck to the same faces but recently, through injury or simply new faces putting their hands up, he has begun deepening the pool of players good enough to call up. I'm not suggesting Roberts won't be called up full stop, but I don't believe its a dead cert either.

I'm with Sid the Seagull, lets now target (if they've not been already) some meaty props, and also set about signing a top quality winger or indeed a top prospect a la Cokanasiga. Charteris for me is an expensive luxury that hasn't paid off, the return of a revitalised Attwood, with fresh new experience elsewhere, will be like a new signing.

They certainly wouldn't need him anymore if Owen Williams goes to Dragons as rumours are suggesting. Surely we can do better than a 36 (37 in Feb) year old Henson, currently out with a season ending thigh injury?

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